XBOX EVOLUTION

The "if All Else Fails" Matrix+v1.1 Install Guide, Nothing permanent (no wire soldering!)

A Fantastic Guide by a great Xbox Scener called bluefear

Following on from my initial guide, which I hope helped some people, I decided to write a follow up guide if you still can't get that Matrix seated right on a v1.1 xbox.

First I will go through some concepts (thanks to Xantium for points 1 and 2).

1. If your xbox refuses to boot (3 resets / red/green light problem) it means that you LPC pins are misaliged but your d0 (g-spot) pin is aligned. This is because d0 is connected (and trying to override the original bios) and is 'calling' upon connections on the LPC but is not finding some which makes it reset.

2. If your xbox boots and the green light is on in Mode2 and your bios isn't loading (see point 3) this mean you have misaligned d0 (g-spot) pin. Basically, what is going on here is that d0 is not connected so it won't ever load the modchip bios but the xbox will still boot as it just reverts back to the original bios. The key point here is that (IMO) the LED system on the Matrix is more or less useless on a v1.1 xbox - it will always light green in Mode2 no matter if d0 is connected or not. What you want to see is if you get an initial green flash in Mode1 - that should tell you do is aligned. Once you flip modes though you can effectively ignore the LED because it becomes pretty much useless.

3. The best way I have found to check whether a Matrix is booting properly is to use the latest xecutor 2 bios (x2_4974_MultiVer_256k). If you have a properly aligned Matrix you will _definitely_ see the word 'MS' replaced with the word 'Xecutor2' on initial boot up of the xbox. You will also see a change in version number (to 4974) in the system info section of the original dashboard.

The other method is to try an IGR (L+R+B+S) whilst playing an original game. If that doesn't work you haven't got the chip installed correctly. These above methods are for people who do not have a backup disc that is _known_ to work on their own xbox (i.e. a brand new one).

4. The reason why it is so damn hard to get a Matrix aligned in a v1.1 xbox all stems from the holes (instead of pads) for the LPC points. What this does is to force your pins down into these holes which effectively locks the Matrix into a particular position and unless you are patricularly lucky, that position will not be aligned properly with d0 (g-spot).

5. A non invasive method which we developed involves filling these holes so you have more movement to align d0 (g-pot) correctly. It is not easy but it will definitely get your modchip working and it is non permanent for all those people who do not like heating up their motherboard. You will however require some solder and a lighter (don't be worried).

6. Get some thin solder (thin enough to easily pass throught LPC holes on your xbox motherboard) and light the end very briefly with a lighter. This will melt the end back into a small ball. It is important to get a size of solder ball which is just right to rest on top of the LPC hole (and not fall through) but not too big as to touch anything it should not.

7. Cut the ball off the solder wire leaving a short stick of solder wire on the ball (3-4mm approximately). Flatten the top side of the solder ball (I used a small hammer whilst gently holding the stick with some pliers) ensuring it doesn't become too wide.

8. Drop each solder ball you made into the corresponding LPC holes where the pogo pins are to be positioned.

9. Evenly lower the board onto the solder points and screw it gently down whilst holding in position. You may find this part tricky but be patient and be very careful not to accidently 'uproot' any of the solder balls (important!).

10. Once you have the board screwed down over the LPC pins you can gently rotate the board until d0 (the g-spot) is is in contact with the Matrix.

If you have used the bios mentioned above you will know when you have a good d0 connection as you will see a difference in the initial boot up of the xbox.

This is a tricky method but will absolutely GUARANTEE success (as long as you do it right). I can confirm this method works perfectly for me so believe me it can be done.

Good luck and I hope this helps some people,
bluefear

The Hottest DCEmu Posters